During busy times at the newly expanded American Fork Fitness Center, some patrons get creative -- sometimes illegal -- with their parking. Some park in handicapped areas, others decide to leave their cars in the center's loading zone or a nearby Alpine School District lot, while some make their own parking spaces in the road and on corners.

Parking at the center has turned into a workout before working out.

"You are exercising before you even get here," said Rebecca Boden. "The other problem is they don't clean the sidewalks. Somebody is going to get hurt."

"Sometimes you have to walk quite a ways," said Furlann Olsen. "For the older and crippled people that is hard."

Recreation director Derric Rykert said the parking problem is getting serious; not only is it inconvenient, it could be dangerous because drivers are looking for parking spaces and may not see the people walking through the lot. He's asked the city for help.

"We have a safety issue of how many cars are looking for spots," he said.

The problem started after the center was expanded recently, with a new gym, classrooms and offices on the east side of the center. Some parking spaces were added, but others were eaten up by the new expansion.

"The change in the facility and the increased user load both mean more people are driving here," he said.

"It has gotten worse since the reconstruction and since the huge campaign and pass sale in January," said Dana Leavitt, who uses the center. "I think they sold a few too many passes."

Rykert said the parking problems may discourage people from exercising.

"We also have a convenience issue for our patrons," he said. "They may decide not to come and swim or play. It is smart for us to provide more spaces."

Rykert said there are certain times of the day when the problem is the most serious.

"From 4:50 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., it is really heavy," he said. "We have added an extra hour of high use. It also is very busy from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m."

Mayor Heber Thompson is looking into the problem.

"I am looking for a proposal from the fitness center director and (chief of staff) Melanie Marsh," he said. "I think it will be a joint proposal to say what they want to do to address the parking problem."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.